“Righto, quick as ylike now, squad. Pick up all weapons an lay those rats facedown where theyre no bother to anybeast ...
One of the leverets sprang forward but skidded to a halt at a fierce glare from his superior.
“Whatve I told you, laddie buck? Wait for it, wait for it Right, go to it, squad ... Move!
The young hares scurried about gathering up all weapons. One was about to relieve Dandin of his spear when he caught the stern eye of his elder.
“Teh, ten! Cant ytell the good chaps from the rotters, Runtwold? Leave that mouses weapon alone, sah!
Pulling off his hat, he strode ponderously down the hill. Bending a leg in front of Mariel, he bowed with a totally overdone flourish. “Field Marshal Meldrum Fallowthorn at yservice, marm. Though me reputation oft precedes me, no doubt youve heard mname bandied about hither and yon, wot?
Mariel could only shake her head.
“Whats this? Theres a thing! said the hare, raising his eyebrows. “Never heard of old Meldrum the Magnificent? Astoundin! Never mind, mdear, you will!
Introductions were in order all around. The moles thanked their rescuers profusely, the old one tugging his snout respectfully to the warriors who had saved them.
“Burrhurr, thankee koindly, guddbeasts. Oi be Furpp Straightfurrer, an these yurr hinfants be moi daughters lotBurdill, Grumbee, an Porgoo, Straightfurrers all. Bid ee gennelbeasts good day, moles.
The three little ones tugged their snouts politely. “Good arternoon, zurrs! Foin day, marm!
Meldrum turned his attention to the rats lying with their noses pressed into the sand. “Now then, yblaggards, up on those paws smart I ike. One, two, hup!
The rats did as they were bidden with alacrity. Meldrum prodded one in the stomach with his rod butt. “Now listen hard, ygreat stinker. Im promotin you pro tern offisah of this mob. See that hill yonder? Well, if you aint all over it an1 gone in two flicks of me eye, Ill make rat pudden with the lot of yah, understand?
The rat nodded, knowing his life depended on it.
Meldrum signaled to his leveret squad and Mariels group. “Weapons at the ready, shoot at will if they dont move quick enough. Aim for between the shoulder blades. Righto, attention, verminon my command of run, youll flippin well run for ylives. Got it? Good, ready ... Run!
Sand scattered in all directions as the terrified rats fled, stumbling helter-skelter over the hill. In an amazingly short time, they were gone from sight. Field Marshal Meldrum Fallowthorn sniffed disdainfully. “Rats! Nevah could abide the rottersnasty, sly, an not a scrap of guts or discipline in any of em!
Bowly stood goggling at the array of decorations jingling and rattling on the Field Marshals tunic. “Gwaw! A real, live warrior. Wot dyew get all those medals for, sir?
Meldrums chest swelled, and he gave Bowly a swift wink. “Battles, young hog, mlad. Thats what a chap earns these gongs for. Thisn was the Eastern Campaign, an the big star here I got for subduin a stoat uprisin. Hah, made those blighters jump I can tell yeh! See these colored bars? Earned em for wallopin weasels up north. This here special silver shield was for biffin the daylights out of a snake, most arrogant adder I ever met, a real boundah! Now, about this golden crescent with a ferret straddlin it ...
The young leveret Runtwold whispered to Mariel and Dandin, “Good ol Uncle Mel. Were his nephews, yknow. He makes all those medals an awards em to himself, but only when he thoroughly earns em. The old fellahs a top-hole warrior an a real toff!
Furpp gestured in the direction of a hill to the west. “Burr, cn oi offer ee guddbeasts summ afreshment, baint much, tho youm be welcumm tmoi dwellin t share et.
Meldrum donned his hat and, pulling his ears through the holes, he signaled his squad into line. “Refreshments! I say, thats rather civil of you, old molechap. Bibntuck-ers me favorite exercise. Lead on!
Furpps dwelling was actually a hill, hollowed out and shored up with rock and timber, dark and cool after the hot noon sun. An entire mole colony lived there. Furpp was obviously the tribal patriarch. He gave them drinking bowls, brimming with a cold cordial of pennycloud and wild barley sweetened with honey. The leveret squadRuntwold, Coltvine, Thurdale, and Foghilldrank deeply, shuffling with anticipation as they watched wood platters being piled high with cold sliced deepernever pie, garnished with hogweed and dandelion salad dressed with crowfoot and garlic mustard. Meldrum the Magnificent shifted huge quantities as he planned his next decoration.
“Hmm, two rats slain an about sixteen vanquished. Lemme see. I think maybe two small silver rats, rampant over a black ribbon with sixteen yellow stripes should fill the bill. Foghill, pour some of that cordial for my chum Bowly.
The young hare saluted casually. “Right ho, Uncle Mel!
The Field Marshals ears shot up stiffly. “Improper form, sah. Youre on a fizzer, young Foghill! I charge you with addressin a superior offisah as uncle. Penalty, polish all me medals before ybunk down tonight! You know the regulations, laddie buck: Im either Sir, or Field Marshal, or Meldrum the Magnificent. Next one I catch callin me Uncle Mel or Nunky, Ill have his ears for breakfast an his tail for tea. That clear, squad? Good, as ywere. Carry on victuallin up!
There were so many moles introduced to the visitors that they soon gave up trying to remember names. The dwelling was very homey, and every comfort was lavished upon them. Furpp invited the rescuers to stay for the night and they gladly accepted, though later Mariel slightly regretted her decision. Every nook and cranny of the dwelling, throughout its various side chambers and alcoves, was packed with multitudes of sleeping moles. They snored and snuffled, sleepwalked, and some of them even argued or sang in their slumbers. The dwelling became oppressively close. Mariel and Dandin, stepping carefully over the sleepers, made their way outside to sleep in the fresh air.
They strolled around the hill, noticing how the dwelling entrance was carefully concealed between a large rock and some thick brush. The gentle breezes constantly shifted the dry sand and smoothed over any traces of paw-prints leading to Furpps home. They came upon Furpp and Meldrum lounging outside, they too having deserted the packed chambers for the soft, starred outdoors. The four sat down in the warm sand, discussing the days events in low tones. Meldrum had already been apprised of the situation by Furpp, and he was not happy.
“Too many of those confounded rats in Southsward now. I got back from me campaignin an travelin too late; the bally place is swarmin with em. That lot today arent the only ones Ive run into; Ive seen patrols everywhere. Now Furpp tells me that me old friends Gael Squirrelking an his good ladywife had the very throne pulled out from under em by invaders an villains. Couple of foxbeasts, I hear. Ones said to be half wolf. Tchah! The ruffianll be half dead if he ever crosses my trail. Actually, I was on me way to Castle Floret with the squad when I bumped into you chaps. What dye say, care to join us?
Mariel exchanged a grim nod with Dandin before answering, “Were with you! After what we saw today of those filthy rats, Dandin and I are game for anything that will rid the land of them and their evil kind!
“Baint that easy, zurrs, said Furpp Straightfurrer, shaking his head. “Youm oanly seed but a few of Foxen-wolfers orde. Gurt boatloads of ee vurmints came to this land, moren ee leaves in autumn winds. Ho urr, theym be too aplenty furr the loikes of us n s to cope wi.